'Obviously you could have a junk food vegan diet if you wanted to, but even so, vegans do better in terms of their weight control and their cholesterol levels as well.'

Ms Baker noted that there are few sources of saturated fat in a vegan diet, which helps to promote a healthy heart.

'Vegans who eat a balanced wholefood diet and take care over vitamin B12 can have very good heart health indeed,' she revealed.

The expert also emphasised that vegans, along with other British consumers, should keep an eye on their intake of vitamin B12, vitamin D, iodine and selenium as these can be lacking in the typical UK diet.

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